The Secret Weapon

What a whirlwind of opportunities and prospects met me here in Oaxaca! I came with a dual purpose: teach World Literature at the missionary school and work with youth at my church. I now serve in 10x more things! As I sit here typing this, something that I put off for a while due to lack of time, my eyes are drooping, and the only thing keeping them open is the 3rd cup of coffee I am currently nursing. I have resorted to putting my schedule on a big makeshift calendar on my wall to keep track of the multiple activities and projects going on daily. Granted, each of these projects is a project I’m excited about, and I truly enjoy participating in them. My roommate commented yesterday that she has no idea how I keep up with my crazy schedule. I, however, have a secret weapon. See, I’ve been called to Oaxaca as a missionary, not for my own purposes or adventurous yearnings, but for God. He is my push. He is my strength. He is my reason for getting up and working. It has been such an amazing month, and God has been showing me the love and beauty I can find in the midst of the chaotic world I call mine. When the teachers blockade the streets; when everyone shows up hours late for an activity pushing the entire day back; when my students look at me with completely blank stares; THAT is when my love, patience, and energy run out, and God 100% steps in. I can look up from the blockade and see the beautiful mountains that surround this city and feel love. I can open my house to everyone who arrived hours late and chat till the wee hours of the night, and I can feel love and patience. I can face my blank-stared students and feel energized and ready to teach. Believe me, it’s not me. It’s in those moments of unnatural love, patience, and energy that I feel God enveloping me in his embrace. I feel Him carry my burden, switch it out for His (for His burden is light), and I can straighten my shoulders to face the day.

I recently heard a TED talk on David and Goliath (look it up, it's by Malcolm Gladwell, aka a genius hero of mine). The basis of it was that we often look at the story as a story about an underdog, but we are mistaken. See, Goliath was a giant, but there is a possibility of him being seeing-impaired and less able to fight than what we would imagine. We look at David and see him as a weakling with a puny sling. In fact, slings were used in the military at that time as real and dangerous weapons. Slingers could shoot with accuracy and with incredible speed. It wasn’t a puny weapon; it was a deadly secret weapon. The giant wasn’t as big and scary as he seemed, and the “underdog” wasn’t as weak and unprepared as we thought. When we are piled up with things to do and people to see, we often feel as though we are facing a giant. Six years ago, this week, I went through emergency surgery due to a tumor. It was a terrifying and overwhelming time in my life. I saw no good way out of the situation and the oppressing hurt I felt in my life. It was a giant. Now, looking back, I realize that this giant wasn’t as big and unbeatable as I had thought. My secret weapon got me through that dark phase, and I have grown and learned so much from it. I wasn’t as weak as I thought because I had God on my side.

The giant pile of papers to be graded, errands to be run, people to talk to, and things to be done is way less overwhelming when I take into account my secret (not-so-secret) weapon. God has equipped me to face these challenges, and He will carry my burden through it all.

September in Oaxaca:

-Mexican Independence Day was this month, so the city is in full Mexican attire. Streamers, banners, and decorations covered the city as we celebrated Independence and patriotism.

-School is in full swing! I have a wonderful class of 9th/10th grade students; all excited (I think/hope) about Literature and reading. I also help out with the 11th/12th grade AP English Lit class.

-I’m working on a bunch of projects at Oaxaca Christian School. One of the most exciting of these is working with the Jr/Sr class. They fundraise all year to go on a trip at the end of their school year. They also act as the student council at OCS, planning activities and promoting school spirit. This year, I’m working on their re-entry seminar (preparing MKs to re-enter their passport country after graduating) as well as leadership training, including weekend activities and retreats.

-I teach classes for 9 beginner’s English students and 2 beginner’s Spanish students. It is a riot, and we are having a blast!

-I am helping plan the Missionary kid camps (2 camps that are uniquely focused on MKs in Mexico. We have about 400 MKs join us and create connections with other MKs) and the Church Youth camp that all take place in the spring.

-I am helping lead youth group at the school and at church. We are planning fun activities as well as service projects for each.

-I have been invited to help with a big project headed up by some missionaries here, and more info will follow next month on that.

-And many more fun things!

Your prayers and encouragement are so deeply appreciated and needed. Pray for wisdom as I plan my future here in Oaxaca. Pray for discernment in my decision-making. Pray for depth and understanding as I mentor and serve youth and MKs.

Gracias,

-Ruth